Jadine Childs - A beautiful, educated Black fashion model who has been sponsored into wealth and privilege by the wealthy white Street family. She is torn between assimilating into white society and embracing her Black identity.

Son - An impoverished, strong-minded Black man who washes up on the Streets' Caribbean estate. He was raised in an all-Black community in rural Florida and represents a more traditional Black identity in contrast to Jadine.

Valerian Street - The wealthy white patriarch who employs Jadine's aunt and uncle as domestic servants. He has a mean streak and represents the white establishment.

Ondine and Sydney - Jadine's aunt and uncle who work as cook and butler for the Streets. They resent Jadine for leaving them to assimilate into white society.

Margaret Street - Valerian's wife who has a troubled relationship with their son Michael.

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The intersection of race, class, and gender
The novel examines how these social identities intersect and create complex dynamics between the characters, particularly between Jadine and Son who represent different paths forward for Black Americans.

Obligation and betrayal in romantic relationships
The passionate but doomed romance between Jadine and Son is central to the novel. As they struggle to reconcile their differences, their relationship becomes fraught with feelings of obligation and betrayal.

The tension between assimilation and cultural identity
Jadine, who is educated and assimilated into white society, clashes with Son who is more connected to his Black roots. The novel grapples with the challenges of maintaining one's cultural identity while also succeeding in the mainstream.

The legacy of slavery and racism in America
Morrison's novels often explore the lingering effects of slavery and racism on Black Americans. In Tar Baby, the characters' relationships and struggles are shaped by this historical context.

The role of storytelling and folktales
Morrison incorporates elements of folktales and storytelling traditions, such as the tar baby story, to develop the novel's themes and characters.

In Tar Baby, Morrison crafts a complex narrative that spans the Caribbean, American South, and New York City to examine the experiences of Black Americans in the late 20th century. The novel's poetic language and vivid characters bring these important themes to life.

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